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Startling horses the problem at Churchill Downs

Last month, Churchill Downs proudly trumpeted its sparkling new $12 million Big Board video screen. The pictures were clear and the sound was crisp, and the structure was positioned so far above the track that the horses would not even see it. But that does not mean they cannot be disturbed by its noises.

Last month, Churchill Downs proudly trumpeted its sparkling new $12 million Big Board video screen. The pictures were clear and the sound was crisp, and the structure was positioned so far above the track that the horses would not even see it. But that does not mean they cannot be disturbed by its noises.

Seven hundred and fifty new speakers were installed throughout the track, and on Thursday the cadence might have led to a tragic accident. Trainer Kenny Wirth said that a commercial that included the sudden shriek of a starting-gate bell spooked his 5-year-old mare, Never Tell Lynda, who reared and fell, hitting her head.

Blood gushed from the nose and mouth of the mare, who had been walking toward the paddock to be schooled. She was euthanized.

Churchill Downs released a statement offering its condolences and saying it will look into the matter. And surely if it's determined that the sound system played any role in agitating the horse, it will be rectified, because the track cares about these animals, too.

But this should never have been an issue in the first place. They should have known better. They should have been prepared. At Churchill Downs, they know horses. They know what bothers them.

I spoke to trainers on Thursday who said the new sound system can be loud, but that horses are generally not affected by noise. Goodness, at the Kentucky Derby they run while about 150,000 people are screaming praise and profanity.

But horses do not like being caught off guard. They do not like being startled. And the sudden sound of a starting bell on a loud video display should have been enough to at least give someone at Churchill Downs some pause.

"They want something startling for people to see, but startling is what bothers the horses," longtime trainer Dale Romans said. "If you had sound that was gradually getting higher, it'd be different. I'd rather my horse listen to a rock concert than one real quick blast of sound. They get scared, and they want to get away from it."

Added Forrest Kaeilin, a trainer and former jockey who has been attending this track for more than 50 years: "It's a lot of noise now, believe me. It's something they could turn down a little bit. But Churchill Downs does things their way."

Turn down for what? Well, how about the horses?

Barbara Borden, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's chief state steward, said there have been complaints about the speaker system's volume, and that top management would try to correct it. But they would also do well to consider the programming — and the timing of the cacophony — not just how loud it is.

Look, this was a rare, freak occurrence. But it seems that it also could have been avoided. I understand that Churchill Downs is, out of necessity, transforming its race-day programming into more of an experience as it hopes to draw in a broader audience. But in the end, it's important to remember that it is not a carnival.